Psaumes

1480 · 254000 — Ulm: Johann Zainer 1480. 293 of 296 leaves; lacking first 2 leaves of the Calendar and final blank. •6 ••8 a-x8 y12 z8 A-L8 M3. 1 vols. 8vo; 111 x 90 mm. Bound in 18th-century paper boards with remnant of morocco spine label edges stained red. Spine defective and covers rubbed but binding is sound; several leaves bear stubs at outer edge from former index tabs; first leaf of Psalter extended at inner margin; final two leaves slightly waterstained; some browning and occasional stains; text block seriously trimmed but never into text. Notes on front endpapers and a presentation inscription in 1826 from a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church U.S. In a custom half-morocco slipcase and chemise. 293 of 296 leaves; lacking first 2 leaves of the Calendar and final blank. •6 ••8 a-x8 y12 z8 A-L8 M3. 1 vols. 8vo; 111 x 90 mm. An Incunable of the Utmost Rarity. Johann Zainer the Elder fl. 1472-93 established the first printing press at Ulm where his first book is dated 1473. This pocket psalter by Zainer is undated; the colophon gives only the printer's name and the city in which it was printed. ISTC gives a conjectural date of around 1480. <br/><br/>The book's handy but fragile format a thick octavo that would have been easily portable for late fifteenth-century users doubtless guaranteed a low survival rate. Indeed the few copies which have survived are often incomplete fragments or in poor condition.<br/><br/>ISTC gives the following locations: France: Strasbourg BNU imperfect wanting Commune sanctorum; Germany: Bamberg SB; Berlin SB; Fulda HLB; Leipzig DB/Buch fragment missing; München BSB 2 imperfect; Stuttgart WLB 3; U.S.A: Washington DC Washington Cathedral Library this copy<br/><br/>The present copy - the only copy in America - is complete save for the first two leaves of the Calendar and the blank leaf at the end. Goff Suppl. P1041a; H 13475; C 4927; GW M36206; ISTC No.: ip01041500 Johann Zainer unknown books